Adjustable layout and construction jig for awning ends and the like



Oct. 13, 1953 w. L. CATCHING. JR 2,655,188

ADJUSTABLE LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION JIG FOR AWNING ENDS AND THE LIKEFiled May 8, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l Fig.1

I5 Z Z IIT KIY YS Oct. 13, 1953 W L. CATCHING, JR ADJUSTABLE LAYOUT ANDCONSTRUCTION JIG FOR AWNING ENDS AND THE LIKE Filed May 8, 1950 3Sheets-Sheet 2 in Fig.2

{b 2a .30 45 5a m"- 25 v i so 1 1 g. 9

INVENTOR.

ITI'OK/VEYS 1953 w. LCATCHING, JR 2,655,183

ADJUSTABLE LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION JIG FOR AWNING ENDS AND THE LIKEFiled May a, 1950 a Sheets-Sheet s 4 F 1 3 JI/VVENTOR.

v W41. new 4. (WC/0N6, J42 BY Patented Oct. 13, 1953 ADJUSTABLE LAYOUTJIG FOR AWNING E AND CONSTRUCTION NDS AND THE LIKE Walter L. Catching,Jr., Birmingham, Ala. Application May 8, 1950, Serial N 0. 160,784

4 Claims. (01. 144-288) My present invention relates to apparatus for Ilaying out and assemblingpanels such as slatted awning ends and the likeand while not limited thereto relates particularly to such apparatuswhich shall facilitate the laying out and assembly of custom made endsfor awnings which are made to a given set of specifications relative toslat length, drop, projection, wall height, or valance length, as saidterms are hereinafter defined.

At present, slatted awnings are made in a variety of shapes and sizes.For instance, the roof may be convex or concave. The lower slat line ofthe ends may be straight, concave, or convex. The drop of the awning,the projection thereof, and the wall height all may vary depending uponthe particular place and method of installation as well as the desiredornamental appearance for the end. Also, if the awning is to have avalance the length thereof may vary widely with difierent awnings. Allof these variables must be taken into account when building ends for aparticular awning, and as will be appreciated such variables presentdifiicult layout and assembly problems in constructing the ends of theawnings.

Heretofore in the construction of such ends it has been customary tocalculate or otherwise ascertain the configuration and size of the ends,draw a pattern thereof and assemble the slats to the end frame membersdirectly on the drawing, using the same as a layout pattern. Suchprocedure is expensive, time consuming and lacking in accuracy.

It is the prime object of my invention to provide an adjustable layoutand construction apparatus for making awning ends which shall eliminatethe above difficulties and by means of which awning ends may be madeaccurately to specifications in a minimum of time and at a considerablereduction in cost, both from the labor and material standpoints.

My invention contemplates a pair of awning end layout and frame holdingmembers, one for the upper or roof line of the awning end and one forthe lower or point line thereof, together with a grid table on whichsaid members may be relatively adjusted by direct reference to the lineson the table. This brings the members into correspondence with the givenvalues of the above mentioned variables for the particular ends underconstruction, whereby some of the frame members for the ends may beclamped directly to the layout members and the slats in turn secured tothe frame members, thereby simplifying the entire process of laying outand constructing the ends and providing accurately built ends.

Another object is to provide apparatus of the character designated bymeans of which right and left hand ends may be constructed and by meansof which the roof line configuration of the ends may be made tocorrespond precisely with the roof line configuration of the awning,thus assuring that the ends fit the awning for which they are made.

Another object is to provide layout and jig apparatus of thecharacterdesignated on which awning ends may be assembled with minimum wastage offrame andslat materials, and which assures a close fitting, strongconstruction by holding the several parts accurately in place'duringassembly of the end.

Apparatus illustrating the features of my invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of my inven tion on which an endhaving a valance and a straight, horizontal point line for the slats ofthe end may be assembled, the drawing illustrating an end in the processof being assembled;

Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 and illustrating an end in theprocess of being assembled, the end having a convex roof line;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken generally along lineIII-III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the valance connector used in making the awningshown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding generally to Figs. 1 and 2 andillustrating a slightly modified form of apparatus for making an endhaving a convex top and a concave point line for the lower ends of theslats; g

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken generally along line VI-VI ofFig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view corresponding generally to Fig. 5 of the drawings andillustrating apparatus for making an awning end having a convex roofline and a concave point line for the lower ends of the slats, andillustrating an awning end having a valance;

Fig. 8 is'a view corresponding generally to Fig. '7 and illustratingapparatus for making an awning end having a concave roof line and a concave point line for the ends of the slats, the awning end having avalance;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the valance connector employed with theapparatus shown in Figs. '7 and 8;

Fig; 10 is a detail sectional view'taken generally along line X-.X ofFig. '7;

I Fig; 11 is a detail sectional view taken generally along line XI-XI ofFig. 7;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the end connector employed with the apparatusshown in Fig. for making awning ends without a valance;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of an extension member which may be used witheither of the frame members of the jig shown in the drawings;

Fig. la is a wholly diagrammatic view to illustrate the terms employedin connection with an awning end having a valance; and,

Fig. is a wholly diagrammatic view to illustrate the terms employed withan awning end not having a valance and in which the lower ends of theslats lie on a straight, horizontal line.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of myinvention, and first referring more particularly to Figs. 14 and 15 Iwill, for the sake of clarity, first define the terms above mentioned asused in this description. In Fig;

14, the letters SL indicate the slat length of the awning; the letter Drepresents the drop, namely, the lowermost part of the front of theawning measured from the highest point on the rool line, namely, at thewall side of the end; WI-I represents the wall height of the awning end,namely, the vertical distance between the roof line and the lowermostpoint of the awning end adjacent the wall; P represents the projection,namely, the horizontal distance from the wall to the outermost part ofthe awning end; and, V represents the height of the valance. In Fig. 15the wall height and the drop are the same since the angle between thewall and the point line of the end is 90. The slat length is the actuallength of the slats whether the roof line is curved or straight. 4

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, my improved apparatuscomprises a plane work table, the top of which is indicated by thenumeral Ill. The top of the table is suitably provided in any desiredway with a plurality of horizontal lines H and a plurality of verticallines 12 which cross each other at 90, thereby to form a grid top forthe table. The horizontal lines H are numbered commencing at 0 near thebottom right hand end of the table top as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2and are numbered upwardly. The vertical lines [2 are numbered commencingat 0 near the upper left hand corner of the table as illustrated inFigs. 1 and 2, and are numbered to the right from that point. The linespreferably are laid out to form one inch squares although as will beunderstood, any other suitable increment of measure may be used.

Along the lower side of the table and parallel to the horizontal lines His secured a plate 13. Mounted on top of the plate is an angle 14 havingthe vertical leg It thereof parallel to the horizontal lines I i andwith the inner surface of the vertical leg disposed substantially overthe horizontal 0 line H. The angle [4 as well as plate [3 may bepermanently affixed to the table by means of a plurality of screws orthe like l1.

Spaced inwardly of the vertical leg l6 of the angle I4 is a bar 18 whichis parallel to the horizontal lines I The bar may also be secured to theplate l3 by means of screws IS. The bar l8 preferably extends onlypartially across the table.

Adjacent the left hand end of the table is a vertically disposed plate2|. On top of the plate 2! is an angle 22 having the inner surface ofits vertical leg 23 disposed substantially over the vertical 0 line 12.The angle 22 as well as the plate 21 may be permanently secured to thetable by means of screws or the like 24. In the plate 2| adjacent itsupper end are a plurality of holes 25 which are correlated withcorresponding ones of the horizontal lines H. Thus, a selected one ofthe holes 25 is at a definite vertical point from the 0 line H whichpoint may be indicated by a direct reading of the horizontal lines I Iadjacent the holes 26.

At 27 I illustrate a form of roof line member suitable for use as a partof my improved apparatus. The member 2'! may be a casting formed to thecurvature desired for the awning roof line, or the same may be straightif desired. Sufiice it to say that the shape of the member 21 determinesthe roof line for the awning end to be built and as will later appearthe specific configuration thereof may vary widely. Near the upper orwall end of the member 21 I provide a plurality of holes 28 which may bespaced equally apart a given distance, for instance five inches. In thelower end of the member 2'! I provide a single hole 29. The holes 28 maybe suitably identified to indicate the distance of each from the lowerend of the member 21, thus to indicate the slat length of the end aswill later appear.

Adapted to cooperate with the lower end of the member 21 is a valanceconnector member 38. The member 33 is in the form of a flat rectangularplate and may have a member 3| projecting from an end thereof, themembers being secured together as by screws 32. In the plate of themember 30 are a plurality of vertically aligned holes 33.

The method of constructing an awning end with the apparatus justdescribed may now be explained. As will be appreciated from the drawing,the awning end to be built is one having a valance. The operator isgiven the style of the awning, that is the roof curvature, and henceknows the curvature of the member 2'! which he will employ, it beingunderstood that in practice the curvature of the members 21 are limitedto a relatively few styles. Also known are the measurements V and atleast two of the measurements WI-I, SL or P. Let it be assumed that V.SL and WE are variables specified. The first step in the operation is toselect the slat length (SL) and the wall height (WH). This is done byplacing a pin A through the appropriate hole 28 near the upper end ofthe member 21 which corresponds to the slat length as measured from thelower end 31 thereof. The pin passes through the member 2'! and the wallheight is selected by reading up on the horizontal lines to the correctpoint. The pin A is now inserted into the selected opening 26 in theplate 2 I. In practice, the holes 26 are placed approximately inch belowthe adjacent horizontal line I I corresponding to the true desiredvertical reading and approximately at plus inch on the vertical scale.The reason for so locating these holes is to make the overall dimensionsof the end such that the end will fit the roof of the awning and supportthe roof in its desired relation to the wall. The insertion of pin Afixes the wall height and the slat length. The height of the valance (V)is selected by placing a pin 34 through the selected hole 33 in thevalance connector and placing the upper end of the pin in the hole 29.The comiector 30 is now rotated until the longer sides thereof areparallel to the vertical lines l2 and is secured temporarily to thetable 10 by means of a screw 35, being sure that the lower end of theconnector 3:? contacts the upper edge of the plate 13. The apparatus isnow set up to construct the awning end. This is done by clamping theupper frame member 36 to the roof 4| is cut and placed against the innerside of the vertical leg 23 of the angle '22. Inlikeman' ner a shortlength of frame 42 for the valance is cut and placed vertically with itslower end Asuitable number of pieces of framing material 43 arecuttelying alongside the member 3|.

provide horizontal cross members and these abut the members 36 and 4| asshown. ""Theslats S are now secured to the several'frame members byfirst aligning the same by sighting them"in'with the vertical lines l2,bringing the lower or point ends thereof into contact with vertical legl6 of angle l4, spacing them accurately apart by means of any suitableform of guage, and running in a metal screw 44 'at 'the'crossi ng pointswith 'the. several frame members. Thewidth ofthe slats and the spacingthereof is such that the same come out even across'the frame in themanner will understood. Afterall of "the slats 3am in place'and firmlysecured to the frame members the awning end is removed from the tableandthe upper ends of the slats are trimmed as by cutting them on a bandsaw. The upper over-' hanging end of the member 36 is also trimmed.

Referring nowmore particularly to Fig. 2' I show substantially the samearrangement just described in connection with Fig. 1 except that I use aconvex member 21a to form an end having a convex roof line. Thefunctioning of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 is identical with that justdescribed, it being understood that the lower points of the slats S areabutted against the vertical leg I5- of the angle l4, thus aligning thesame. In like manner to-that previously described the valance heightisdetermined by selecting the proper hole in the connector mem-i-"Referring now particularly'to Fig. 5 of the drawing I show anothermodification ofmy invention which-isespecially adapted for makingawningends having no valance-and having a convex roof line and a concave pointline for the lower ends of the slats. In this instance the table Hlaissimilarly laid out with the vertical lines [2 and the horizontal lines Hto form the grid,the only difference being that the horizontal lines 1lare numbered commencing at near the upper right hand corner of thetable and read downwardly.

Along the left hand edge of the table Illa pro vide a plate 41. Securedto'the plate 4'! is an angle 48 having a vertical leg 49 with the innersurface thereof mounted substantially over the zero vertical line I2 andparallel thereto. In the plate 41 near'its upper end is an opening 5iwhich disposed substantially on the 0 line l2 and substantially onthe 0line H." U V I The upper roof line member 211) is substantiallyidentical with the members 2! and 21a already described except that ahole 52 adjacent the lower end thereof is disposed nearer the' end ofthe member than the holes 29 in the members 2'! and 27a. Obviously, themembers 21, 21a and 21b may be provided with the holes 29 and 52 and theselected one thereof used as indicated.

The lower or point line memberfor the slats indicated by the numeral 53,may also be in the form of a casting of the correct curvature. 'Securedto the lower edge of the casting 53 is an up- 1 line and a concave 6standing plate 54. Near the outer end of the member 53 are a pair ofholes 56. The holes 56 are disposed to fit over a pair of upstandingpins 51 carried by an end connector member 58. The member 58 may be inthe form of a flat plate and may have a third pin 59 projecting upwardlytherefrom for insertion in the hole 52 of the member 21b.

In constructing an awning end with the apparatus just described thefirst step is to select the slatlength assuming it to be one of thegiven factors. This is done by selecting one of the holes 6| near thewall end of the member 27b which-is the correct distance away from thelower corner 62'of the lower end of the member 27b. A suitable pm; notshown, is run through the open ing 61 into the hole 5| in the plate 41.The next step is to insert the pin 59 into the hole 52 and the pins 5'linto the holes 56 of the member 53. Having done this the member2'lb ispivoted about the pin' entering the holes 5| and 5| until the end 62corresponds with any given horizontal reading for the projection desiredor any given vertical reading for the desired drop, or until the loweredge of member 21b lies above a given point on the grid table. Suchpoint may represent the lowest permissible point on the awning roof lineat a given horizontal distance from the wall, thus to provide clearancefor the outer top corner of a door, casement window or the like overwhich it is desired to install the awning. The wall height is nowselected by placing the bottom edge of the member 53 carrying the plate54 at the crossing point of the correct horizontal I line correspondingto the wall height with the vertical 0 line l2. The members 21b and 53are temporarily secured to the table by means of screws 63. The framemembers for the awning end are now clamped to these members in themanner already explained and the vertical wall member Ma and the crossmembers 43a are put in place. The-lower-or point ends of the slats areabutted against the upstandingedge of the plate 54, the slats arealignedvertically by reference to the vertical lines l2 and secured tothe frame members by the screws 44 suitably spaced apart. The projectingupper ends of the slats are trimmed to finish the end as alreadyexplainedl If desired the member 53 and plate 4'! may be provided withholes 41a and 53, respectively. Instead of using the screws 63'totemporarily secure the member 53, I may pass a pin through selected onesof the'holes 41a and 55.

Referring now toFig. 7 I illustrate apparatus for making an awning endhaving a convex roof 7 point line and also one having avalanceI-Inthisapparatus I employ a connect0rJ66 in the form of a'flat plate having aseries of holesSl therein. Secured to the plate and upstanding therefromis' a short length of angle 53 parallel tothe long sides of the plate.Upstandmg fromv the platenear its-lower end is a pintfl. Thereof linemember 270 and the point line member 531; are substantially identicalwith those previously described.

In using this type of apparatus the slat length is first selected byplacing a pin in the hole 5| in the plate. 4! if the slat length is oneof the given factors. The pin 59 passes through a hole .50 in-the lowervend of the member 210 and into theselectedone of the holes 51,determining the valance height. The member 53a is provided with a hole'H disposed toreceive the pin 55. With the parts assembled as shown inthe drawmg the plate 66 is held in vertical position and the apparatusshifted until the point 62 on the lower end of the member 21c reads thecorrect drop or projection desired. Holding the plate 66 parallel to thevertical lines 12 I then pivot the member 53a about the pin ll until thelower edge thereof coincides with the point of crossing of the vertical6 line i2 and the desired horizontal line I l representing the wallheight. ihe med bers 21c and 53a are now temporarily secured to thetable top its by means of the screws 63 or by inserting a pin inselected ones of the holes lla and 53. The awning end is assembled inthe manner already explained with the lower points of the slats Sabutting the upstanding plate 55a carried by the member 53a. As will beunder stood if a door or window clearance point is prescribed instead ofthe projection or drop, the procedure described in connection with Fig.5 will be followed in setting the relative positions of the members Zlcand 53a. I

In Fig. 8 I show apparatus for making an awning end having a concaveroof line and a concave point line. From what has just been said thefunctioning of this modification appears to be obvious from the drawing.The roof line member 2id and the member 550, are set as just explainedto determine the projection, drop, wall height, and valance height.

In the making of some types of awnings it is desirable to have a curvedlower part either for the roof line or for the point line and then astraight tangentially extending part. For the purpose of makingcorresponding ends, I may slot the Wall ends of the several roof andpoint line members as indicated at 12 to receiv the reduced end '53 ofan extension member if shown in Fig. 13. Thus, for awnings havingextremely long projections I may easily use any of the point or roofline members described herein in combination with a straight sectionadjacent the wall side of the end.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have devised improvedapparatus for the making of custom built awning ends. It will beapparent from the description given herein that given a set of figuresan operator may easily lay out the awning and that the apparatus servesnot only for this purpose but also holds the frame members in correctposition while the slats are being secured thereto. It will beunderstood that the frame members themselves may be secured together atthe meeting points if that is desired, although in practice in sometypes of construction the slats themselves hold the frame memberstogether. The awning end is then secured to the awning proper bysecuring the end frame members to the awning frame members.

It is to be especially noted that my improved apparatus provides meansfor the manufacturer of awning ends merely from a set of figures asdistinguished from having to measure the awning once the same is inplace. Thus, the awning manufacturer is enabled to supply ends tocustomers who have previously purchased awnings merely by referring backto the order for the original awnings. The importance of this is thatcustomers oftentimes purchase awnings without ends and later decide thatthey wish to have ends put in place. I-Ieretofore, it has been necessaryto either measure the particular awning or to take the figures fromwhich the awning was made and to lay out a paper pattern for eachindividual end. With my improved apparatus it will be apparent that endsmay be laid out with a minimum of difficulty and with extreme accuracy.In actual practice I have found that my improved apparatus issatisfactory in every way and that the saving in labor alone on specialorder ends amounts to a large percentage of the total price charged forsuch ends.

While I have shown and described apparatus for making left hand ends itwill be apparent that right hand ends may be made in the same manner byproviding layout tables in which the wall line plates and angles areplaced adjacent the right hand edge of the table. In this case, thevertical lines are numbered from right to left. In practice, I employfour tables, one right and left hand table [0 and one right and one lefthand table Illa.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various other changes and modifications, without departing from thespirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitationsshall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appendedclaims.

What I claim is:

1. In an adjustable layout and construction jig for awning ends of thetype embodying upper, lower and wall frame members, a generally planework surface, a grid on said work surface defined by sets of horizontaland vertical lines lying at substantially to each other, an upstandingjig member secured to the work surface and outlining the wall side ofthe end to be built, a second upstanding jig member secured to the worksurface at substantialy right angles to the first jig member andoutlining the lower frame side of the end to be built, an upper framejig member, means pivotally connecting the upper frame jig member to thework surface at a point substantially in alignment with the inner edgeof the first named upstanding jig member, means removably securing theupper frame member of the end alongside the upper frame jig member, anda connector to which the lower end of the upper frame jig member isremovably secured, the lower end of said connector abutting the innerside of the second named upstanding member, thereby determining theheight of a valance for the awning ends.

2. In an adjustable layout and construction jig for awning ends of thetype embodying upper, and lower frame members, a plane work surface, agrid on said work surface defined by horizontal and vertical lines lyingat substantially 90 to each other, one each of said lines being a zeroreference line, an upper frame jig member having a side corresponding tothe desired configuration of the upper frame member of the end to beconstructed, a lower frame jig member, an upstanding surface on saidlower frame jig member outlining the lower frame side of the end to bebuilt, there being a plurality of holes through the upper frame jigmember near the upper end thereof spaced known distances from the lowerend thereof and a plurality of vertically aligned openings in said worksurface disposed adjacent the upper end of said upper frame jig memberand substantially on the vertical zero line, a removable pin fittingselectively in the holes of the upper frame jig member and said openingsthereby determining the length of the slats for the awning ends, andmeans removably securing the upper frame member alongside the upperframe jig member while the end is in the process of construction.

3. In an adjustable layout and construction jig for awning ends of thetype embodying upper,

lower, valance and wall frame members, a generally plane Work surface, agrid on said surface defined by sets of horizontal and vertical lines,an upstanding jig member secured to the work surface along one edgethereof against which the wall frame member is placed, an upper framejig member, means pivotally connecting the upper frame jig member to thework surface at a point above the upper end of said upstanding jigmember, means removably securing the upper frame member to the upperframe jig member, a lower frame jig member, and a connector removablyattached to the outer end of the lower frame jig member and positioningthe outer ends of the said upper and lower frame jig members inpre-determined relation to each other thus determining the height of thevalance for the awning ends.

4. In an adjustable layout and construction jig for awning ends of thetype embodying upper, lower, valance and wall frame members, a generallyplane work surface, a plurality of horizontal and vertical linesnumbered from zero and crossing each other at substantially 90 to definea grid, an upstanding jig member secured to the work surface and havingan edge lying substantially in alignment with the zero vertical line, anupper frame jig member pivotally connected to the work surface at apoint substantially on the zero vertical line, means removably securingthe upper frame member of the end to the lower side of the upper framejig member, a lower frame jig member, an upstanding edge on said lowerframe jig member outlining the lower frame side of the end to be built,and a connector removably holding the outer ends of the said upper andlower frame jig members spaced from each other to determine the heightof the valance for the awning ends.

WALTER L. CATCHING, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 722,938 Benge Mar. 1'7, 1903 811,201 Chadwick Jan. 30, 19061,209,761 Roos Dec. 26, 1916 1,271,386 Tarbox July 2, 1918 1,548,798Widman Aug. 4, 1925 1,862,414 McAlister June 7, 1932 2,212,421 HendersonAug. 20, 1940 2,305,124 Wilson Dec. 15, 1942 2,323,528 Faulhaber July 6,1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 764,590 France Oct. 26, 1933

